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DECATUR, Ala. - As the holiday season approaches, we're reminded that some Christmas wishes will be hard to fill. When the Priceville Elementary PTO recently held its trunk or treat, you wouldn't believe how many folks wanted to be part of the event. David Sharp, Sr. and his wife Vandy wanted to share a little Christmas spirit in October. They dressed up like Santa and the Elf on the Shelf.

“We had kids, their eyes would just get as big as tennis balls and they would come running.” David told us. “And I had more hugs that day than I've had in years.” Others took one look at Santa and took off. “They were scared of Santa. They were running away,” he said with a smile.

David and Vandy Sharp dressed up as Santa Claus and the Elf on the Shelf for Priceville Elementary's Trunk or Treat in October.

Before the event even started, a 10-year-old boy walked up and just looked at St. Nick. He didn’t ask for toys. He told Santa what he wanted for Christmas. “I want a home for myself and my mother,” David said. It’s a Christmas wish that could be hard to fill. “This child could ask for anything in the world. He could ask for new toys, new games, new anything and here he is asking Santa Claus for a home,” David said. He says it hit him like a ton of bricks.

Santa didn’t know how to respond. He just looked at the little boy and said, “Hopefully your wish can come true and I’m sure your family will help you get there.” David and his wife had another idea. “That’s when I said, you know, let's do this,” David said. “That was my call to action. If I can make this happen, I’m gonna try.”

He’s trying to raise $5,000. “I want to provide a home,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to be able to create a home environment that's a blessing to them.” David’s found a house to rent for a year. The owner is willing to work with him to make this Christmas wish come true. “This isn't for me,” David added. “It's a calling. Sometimes it just hits you.” And it hit him pretty hard. “If I was in that situation or my child was in that situation and they felt that strongly, that's what would bring them happiness. I mean, it's a home,” he said choking back tears. “We look at a home and it’s a place we come home to every day. But to a child like that, a home is going to be so much more. This child wants that.”

Once they raise the money, he’s going to take his construction crew to make the house a home for the little boy and his mom. And he wants there to be gifts under the tree in that new home. “That’s what St. Nick is supposed to do,” he said with a smile.

If you'd like to be a part of this child's holiday wish, David has set up a gofundme page called Operation Santa Claus. Or you can drop off a cash donation or gifts for the 10-year-old boy and his mother at Traditions Bank on Highway 67 in Decatur. The goal is to raise the $5,000 in the next two weeks so the family can be in their new home for the holidays.